Kerala Tourism

Kerala or land of coconut, as the name denotes, is tucked away in the southwestern tip of the Indian peninsula. This narrow impossibly green strip of fertile land truly looks and feels like another country and is an experience by itself –a tropical paradise, amidst a 100% literate, cosmopolitan, yet friendly populace, who were beneficiaries of an off trinity: progressive rulers, a strong Christian school system and later Communist led Govermments.Renowned for its serene beaches, lush vegetation, mesmerizing backwaters, stunning mountains, spice perfumed air and an amiable culture that embraces Hinduism, Christianity,Isalm,Jainism and Judaism.Kerala represents a microcosm of India and has been certified by the National Geographic Traveler as on of the 50 must see places of a lifetime. Kerala is celebrated for Kathakali; a complex and ritualized dance drama based on the ancient epics, the highly stylized martial art of Kalarippayat; and Ayurveda the primordial system of medicine that uses herbs and massage to treat a range of ailments. Kerala is one of the most progressive, literate and highly educated state in the country, yet has an easy-going relaxed atmosphere.

Kerala - General Information

Area: 38,863 sq.kms; Capital: Thiruvanthapuram; Population: 34 million; Language: Malayalam; Literacy: 100%; Best time to visit: October to March; Airports: Thiruvanthapuram, Kochi (Cochin) and Kozhikode.

A Silver of dense greenery sandwiched between the Arabian Sea and the forested Western Ghat mountains, the state of KERALA stretches for 550km along India's southwest coast, and is just 120km wide at its broadest point. It's blessed with unique geographical features and the lush tropical landscape, fed by two annual monsoons, together with the beautiful backwaters, intoxicates every newcomer. Equally, Kerala's arcane rituals and spectacular festivals stimulate even the most jaded imagination, continuing centuries of tradition that has never strayed far from the realms of magic. it is not surprising that the state tourism department have coined the phrase” God’s own Country” to advertise Kerala, as there's a definite hint of paradise hereabouts.

Small scale and relatively relaxed, Kerala's cities and towns are all within easy reach of each other. The most popular tourist destination is undoubtedly the great port of Kochi (formerly Cochin), where Kerala's extensive history of peaceful foreign contact is evident in the atmospheric old quarters of Mattancherry and Fort Cochin - hubs of a still-thriving tea and spice trade. The capital, Thiruvananthapuram (aka Trivandrum), almost as far south as you can go, and a gateway to the nearby palm-cringed beaches of Kovalam, provides varied opportunities to sample Kerala's rich cultural and artistic life.

More so than anywhere else in India, the greatest joy of exploring Kerala is actually in the traveling itself, especially by boat. Ferries, cruisers, wooden longboats and even houseboats ply the backwaters; slowly meandering through the spellbinding Kuttanad region near historic Kollam (Quilon) and Alappuzha (Alleppey), on the southern tip of the huge Vembanad Lake that stretches northwards to Kochi. Drifting between swathes of palm trees and past tiny villages in the humid heat, you cannot fail to be lulled by the unhurried pace of life.

The only way to escape the humidity of the lowlands is to head for the hills. Road wind through landscapes dotted with churches and temples past spice, tee and rubber plantations, as well as natural forest, en route to wildlife reserves such as Tholpetty and Periyar, where sightings of wild elephants are virtually guaranteed. The former British hill station of Munnar, surrounded by endlessly rolling fields of tea, Palakkad with its spice plantations and the beau­tiful forested district of Wayanad with its indigenous tribal population are further highland options .

Major Tourist Attractions

	Beaches (1) Kovalam (2) Varkala (3) Cherai Beach (4) Kapad (5) Muzhappilangad Beach (6) Bekal For more details: www.kerala-tour.in, www.haloindia.com
	Backwaters (1) Kollam (2) Alappuzha (3) Kumarakom (4) Kochi (5) Kozhikode For more details: www.kerala-tour.in, www.haloindia.com
	Hill Stations (1) Munnar (2) Peermedu (3) Vythiri (4) Ponmudi (5) Vagamon For more details: www.kerala-tour.in, www.haloindia.com
	Wildlife Sanctuaries (1) Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Thekkady (2) Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary (3) Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary (4) Shenduruny Wildlife Sanctuary (5) Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary (6) Eravikulam National Park (7) Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary (8) Peechi – Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary (9) Silent Valley National Park (10) Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary (11) Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (12) Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary. For more details: www.kerala-tour.in, www.haloindia.com
	Major Cities Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam (Cochin), Thrissur (Trichur), Guruvayoor, Kozhikode, Palakkad, Kannur, Kasargode. For more details: www.kerala-tour.in, www.haloindia.com

Ayurveda
Stay young to stay long

Ayurveda is a perfect ancient science of life, the word AYUR literally means life and VEDA, & the science or knowledge. Ayurveda briefly explains the knowledge of the do's and don'ts one has to follow, which favours the well being of each individual to lead a healthy, happy, comfortable and advantageous life physically, mentally & socially. Ayurveda also emphasizes "prevention is better than cure".

History

There are four vedas or treatises, which form the basis of Indian Philosophy. They are being the RIGVEDA, the YAJURVEDA, the SAMAVEDA and the ADHARVA VEDA. Ayurveda has emerged out as the branch of ADHARVA VEDA dates back over five thousand years. It is said to have been originated from LORD BRAHMA (creator of the universe according to Indian Philosophy), and has been descended to earth through various generations of GODS and SAINTS. This has beer handed down to us by means of ancient venerable scripts as palm leaf books, leather leaves etc. The oldest works in Ayurveda now available are the CHARAKA SAMHITHA, SUSRUTH, SAMHITHA, and ASHTANGA SAMGRAHA.

Ayurveda is also known as “ASHTANGA VEDA” (the word literally means "Eight branches of knowledge") as it is divided into eight specialized branches. They are as follows.

1. Kaya Chikilsa General Medicine

2. General Medicine Pediatrics

3. Graha Chikilsa Psychiatry and Psycho Somatic diseases

4. Shalakya Tantra Diseases of Eye, Ear, Head, Nose, Throat and its surgery

5. Shalya Tantra General Surgery

6. Agada Tantra Toxicology

7. Rasayana Chikilsa Rejuvenation Therapy

8. Vajeekarana Chikilsa Aphrodisiac Therapy

According to Ayurveda enery living and non-living being in this universe is a combination of five basic eternal elements, called Pancha Maha Bhoothas. Human Body is also constituted by this five eternal elements in various compositions. Hence it can be conceived that every cell of body is possessed with all the properties of life. The only difference of Human Body from the external World is the expression of CHAITHANYA or consciousness or life spark or spirit or soul. The five basic eternal elements are.

1. Earth 2. Water 3. Fire 4 .Air 5. Ether

These eternal elements manifest in the Human Body as three basic principles or subtle energies or humors (Thridosha in Sanskrit). The word Dosha literally means that which maintains and controls the body. They are Vatha, Pitha and Kapha. The Panch a Maha Bhoothas and Thridoshas are not prevalent to the naked eye. But they should be conceived on comprehensive terms in which all-physical structures and physiological functions of the body are included. The Air and Ether elements combined to form the Vatha principle. The fire element constitutes Pitha principle. Earth and Water elements combine to form Kapha principle. These three basic principles govern all biological, physiological and physio-pathological functions of the body, mind and consciousness. They act as basic constituents and protective barriers for the body in its normal physiological conditions.